Improved boot-blacking apparatus



H. H. DODGE.

7 Boot Blacking Apparatus. No. 52,977, Patented March 6, 1866."

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H. H. DODGE, OF GEORGETOWN, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

IMPROVED BOOT-BLACKING APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 52,977, dated March 6,1866.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY H. DODGE, of Georgetown, in the county ofWashington and District of Columbia, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Boxes for Holding Blacking Apparatus; and I dohereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making partof this specification, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,like letters indicating like parts wherever they occur.

To enable others skilled in the art to con struct and use theinvention,I will proceed to describe it.

Figure 1 is a perspective view, andFig. 2 is a side elevation, of myimprovedapparatus.

The nature of my invention consists in a novel construction of a box forcontaining the necessary implements for blacking boots and shoes, soarranged that it can be used in the house without soiling the carpet orfurniture, and at the same time form an article of furniture when nototherwise in use.

I construct a box of any suitable size and form, of which A in thedrawings represents one side. A few inches below the top 1 place ahorizontal partition, B, near the center of which is located a stand orrest, I, adapted to rest the foot upon when the boot or shoe is to bepolished.

H represents a block, having a circular recess in its upper surface ofproper size to receive a box of blackin g, the box being secured in saidrecess by means of the thumb-screw b.

The front side of the box is closed by two horizontal doors, F and G,the first of which reaches from the top down to the partition or floorB, and the other door, Gr, reaching from the floor B to the bottom ofthe box, both being hinged at their lower edges, as shown in thedrawings, so as to open down and outward. The space in the lower portionof the box is intended as a receptacle for the brushes, and may also beused for storing slippers or any similar article during the day, ifdesired.

In order to prevent the room from being soiled by the dirt which may bebrushed off the boots or shoes, and at the same time afford thenecessary room for using the brush, the cover 0 is hinged to a section,D, of the rear side, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, which section is alsohinged t o the box on a level with the floor B, so as to permit theseparts to open out, as shown in the drawings, the door being held nearlyupright, when open, by the chains or cords c, a similar cord or chain,6, serving to hold the hinged section in an inclined position, as shown,at the same time. By this means the dust or dirt is prevented fromfalling on the floor or carpet, the elevated sides A also serving tokeep it from escaping at the sides. The door F not only projects tocatch the dirt on that side, but opening on a level with the floor Bforms a projecting shelf, over which the dirt can be readily brushedfrom the box into a dust-pan or other receptacle.

E represents a shelf hinged to the upper edge of the box on one side,and supported when up by the pivoted brace a, which, when turned aroundto permit the shelf E to fold down against the side, just fills thespace in the side of the box in which it is pivoted. This shelf E isintended to hold the brushes when the box is opened for use.

If desired, the sides A m ay be divided transversely, as indicated bythe blue line in Fig. 2, the upper section being attached Ito the coveror lid 0, so its to be raised with it, as indicated in blue.

The box may be constructed of walnut or other fine wood and ornamentedor finished to any required degree. If desired, it may also be cushionedon the top to form an ottoman or foot-stool, and in this way renderedboth ornamental and useful.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is I The box A,provided with the doors F and G, hinged as shown, thecover Oflattachedto the hinged section D, and shelf E, the whole being constructed andarranged substantially as shown and described.

HENRY H. DODGE. Witnesses:

F. DODGE, WM. DODGE.

